Allegiant Launches New Base in San Francisco Bay Area at Oakland International Airport

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan expressed gratitude that Allegiant chose OAK as the best gateway to Bay Area tourism, and added 60 Oakland-based jobs.

Custom cake specially designed for Allegiant's celebration of their new base of operations at OAK. It even tasted good, too!

Port of Oakland Executive Director Omar Benjamin stated the economic impact of Allegiant's base at OAK is estimated at $75 million to $100 million in the first year of operation.

OAKLAND, Calif. (May 3, 2012) — Allegiant (NASDAQ: ALGT) yesterday celebrated its expanded operation at Oakland International Airport (OAK), adding seven new nonstop destinations and 60 new jobs. Allegiant, which is known for its exceptional travel deals, added the new nonstop cities to the existing three for a total of 10 markets served from OAK. Enjoy highlights of the celebration.

The airline also provides nonstop service at OAK between Eugene, Oregon; Bellingham, Washington, which is a US gateway to Vancouver, British Columbia; and Phoenix-Mesa, which it launched in January 2012. For flight days and times on Allegiant’s 10 routes at OAK, visit allegiant.com.

As part of its expansion, Allegiant bases two 166-passenger MD-80 aircraft to support its growing operation at OAK. The airline also has created jobs for approximately 60 people, including flight attendants, pilots, mechanics, and airport service personnel.

City of Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said at the May 2 evening celebration, “My administration has focused on this for many months, and we are delighted that Allegiant has decided to focus on Oakland International Airport as the best gateway to Bay Area tourism. Allegiant is one of the most profitable airlines serving the nation, and now offers nonstop flights to our market for thousands of inbound travelers.”

“Allegiant understands Oakland International Airport’s value as a key link to inbound tourism in the San Francisco Bay Area,” Port Commission President Pamela Calloway noted previously. She added, “Building upon the success of their existing service, these seven new markets add considerable economic impact and growth to area tourism. In alignment with the Port’s strategic plan, the economic impact is estimated at $75 million to $100 million in the first year of operation, and the addition of 60 Oakland-based jobs.”

Together, with the existing three cities, Allegiant now offers 29 weekly nonstop departures from OAK. Allegiant moved from San Francisco International Airport and began serving OAK in February 2009. Their flights to Bellingham and Eugene are the airport’s top two in terms of seats filled per flight.

Reservations may be made through the company’s website at allegiant.com or by calling Allegiant’s travel experts at 702-505-8888.

About the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport
The Port of Oakland includes the Oakland seaport, Oakland International Airport, and 20 miles of waterfront. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 70,000 jobs in the region and over 800,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.

Allegiant, travel is our deal.
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) is focused on linking travelers in small cities to world-class leisure destinations. Through its subsidiary, Allegiant Air, the company operates a low-cost, high-efficiency, all-jet passenger airline, and offers other travel-related products such as hotel rooms, rental cars, and attraction tickets through its website, allegiant.com. The company ranked ninth this year in Forbes’ Best Small Companies. Allegiant was also recently named one of FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Fastest-Growing Companies” for the second consecutive year--in 2011 and 2010, In 2010, Allegiant was ranked number one for low-cost carriers in Aviation Week’s Top Performing Airline study.